Here is the video that goes along with the release of the 40th Anniversary Edition 370z.  It shows a little bit about the Z’s history and has some cool Z info.  One of the funniest parts that I found about the video is that the 240z that he drives away in the end has the same plate as the 350z track car that is featured below this post, although it is spelled differently.  Z people rule.

Nissan has a history of releasing anniversary Z cars the new 370z 40th Anniversary is the most current offering.  The official 40th Anniversary in the United States is on October 22nd (which is why I waited until today to post this.)  Happy anniversary old friend!!!

From Nissan (full lengthy press release after the read more):

About the Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition The 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition starts out as a 370Z Coupe Touring model equipped with manual transmission and Sport Package (including SynchroRev Match, front chin spoiler, rear spoiler, Nissan Sport Brakes, 19-inch Rays forged aluminum-alloy wheels and viscous limited-slip differential) and adds a premium “40th Quartz” exterior color and red leather-appointed interior.

Additional exclusive equipment includes a high-luster smoke wheel finish, red brake calipers and 40th Anniversary badges on the rear hatch and front strut tower brace. Inside, along with the red leather-appointed seats are red door panel inserts, 40th Anniversary seatback and floormat embroidery, red stitching on the center stack, shift boot and kneepads, smooth leather steering wheel with red stitching and a plaque of authenticity. Every 40th Anniversary Z also comes with a commemorative premium satin car cover.

I’ll be holding my judgment on the car until I see one in person.  Sometimes these special editions are just a base model car with special badges on them and other times they are worth the $5k+ premium because they pull on your heart strings.  We’ll soon see.  Let me know what you think in the comments if you so desire, I’m always interested to hear from all of you.

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I found this on the amazing thing we call the internet this morning, I am not impressed, sorta.  You know it can do that on pavement, right?

In this next one it turns out that an animal seemed to be storing food in the exhaust system of this early Z.  What I find disturbing is that the father(?) pays no attention to what the kid with the camera was saying.  He just kept cranking away without a care in the world.

Many of you know the huge impact that Mr. K has had on our lives.  For those who don’t, Mr. K is the person responsible for the both the original Datsun 240z and 510.  Holding those credentials makes him a very important person in my book.  So when I came across an article on Autoblog the other day I was astonished to read that he preferred driving his Nissan Versa over the 350z that he owns or even the new 370z!!

Most of his feelings seem to stem from the fact that modern day sports cars have gotten too heavy and are now overly controlled by computer systems.  At one point he goes on to mention that the Mazda Miata is more of what a modern 240z should be like.

Another point that he makes against modern Z cars is that they have gotten too expensive.  The high price point really drives away the customers that the Z was initially designed for.  The original 240z had an MSRP just over $4,000 back in the early seventies before options, now the price can regularly top $40K!!  I can see his point.

The article goes on to mention that he would like to see the “Datsun” moniker return to future sporty cars from Nissan.  I haven’t really thought of Datsun ever coming back, but why shouldn’t it!?  It would be a great way for Nissan to branch out and offer cars at a lower price point in the future, sort of like what Toyota did with Scion.  Seemed to work pretty well for them.  Maybe we will see a lightweight sedan come back to the market and channel some vintage 510 styling.  I’d buy a couple of those, rear drive of course.

Thoughts?

Side note:  Mr. K’s 100th birthday was on the 15th of this month, so happy belated B-day to him.  He’s still a feisty old dog isn’t he!?  Good for him.

Source:  Autoblog.com by way of Autonews.com

Image source:  Chicago Sun-Times

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Treasure Island meet last weekend.  I was so happy to see the twenty-ish cars at the shop to make the drive together.  Also thanks to everyone who helped set up and organize the event and to Rob who was nice enough to provide doughnuts and coffee for everyone in the morning as well as the raffle prizes (dyno pulls and shop gift certificates.)

It was a real blast to see all of these Zs on the road.  I ended up not driving so that I could ride with Rob and take pictures.  He had taken the T-tops out of his 300zx twin turbo which made for some great photo opportunities and an even better sun burn for me, haha.  Treasure island was a bit chilly but the good conversations about Zs kept my mind off of it.

I will be posting some information on another get-together real soon, so I hope to see you all then.  Enjoy all the pictures after the read-more!!

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